Top Democrats accuse Republicans of becoming ‘gelatinous blobs’ on Iran war

Democratic Senators Urge Colleagues to Exercise Congressional Authority Over Iran Operations

US Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland stated in interviews that Republican members of Congress have not asserted the legislature’s constitutional role concerning US military operations against Iran. The senators, both Democrats, said the Republican majority has deferred decisions on the conflict to the executive branch.

The US and Israel began military operations against Iran in February. The operations have required tens of billions of dollars in US expenditures. Defense Department figures show hundreds of US service members wounded and 18 killed since the start of the campaign. A preliminary agreement to limit further escalation broke down in recent weeks.

Warren and Van Hollen spoke while campaigning in Michigan for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Warren described Republican senators as unwilling to challenge administration policy. She said the constitutional design of three separate branches assumes each will protect its own powers, but that this separation has not functioned as intended during the current conflict.

On July 31, the Senate rejected a war powers resolution by a 49-50 vote. The measure would have required the president to end US participation in the operations without additional congressional authorization. An earlier Senate vote in June produced a similar outcome. In the House, a comparable resolution passed 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support.

Van Hollen, who sponsored the Senate resolution, said Congress must eventually restrict funding for the operations. He stated he would not support additional appropriations requested by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Van Hollen said Republican senators would need to explain to voters their decision to allow the executive branch to direct military action without further legislative approval.

The senators noted that Democratic gains in the November midterm elections could alter the balance of power in Congress. Warren said a Democratic majority, combined with public opposition to the operations, might allow lawmakers to limit executive actions. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll conducted earlier in July found 29 percent of Americans approved of the administration’s handling of the Iran situation and 69 percent disapproved.

Van Hollen said Democrats would continue to seek recorded votes on war powers measures to document individual senators’ positions. He described the current military effort as one that lacked prior congressional authorization and said funding decisions would ultimately rest with the appropriations process.

The midterm elections will determine control of both the House, currently held by Republicans, and the Senate. Democrats have identified the Iran operations as a potential issue in those contests.